Follow the Shepherd (Part 2)

Pastor Rocklyn E. Clarke - Sunday October 1, 2006

© 2006 Life Church Ministries, Inc.

http://www.LifeChurchMinistries.org/

 
V Introduction
* Bible Reading 9/24 -9/30: Isa 43:14 - 62:5; Eph 3:1 - Philip 2:18; Psalm 68-72; Prov 24:1-12
> Review
V New Material
> Preparation
V Take the Land; Speak the Word (cont)
V The Good Shepherd - John 10:1-21 (continued)
V Application
V Recognize that the sheep pen has a gate - John 10:1-3
V The sheep pen includes
* Jesus' sheep
* Other sheep
* Thieves focus on the sheep pen and try to bypass the gate.
* By claiming that "they could see" while rejecting Jesus the Pharisees showed themselves to be "thieves".
* There are people with unholy agendas that want to steal and feed on others - including you.
* The "gate" is the Word of God
V Listen for the Lord's voice
V You have to know him
V Pay attention to what he says.
* Jesus' words are spirit and life - John 6:63
* Jesus' words are not his alone - John 7:14-18
V Meditate on what God says and does
* Josh 1:8; Psalm 77:12; Psalm 119:15,27,48,97,99,148
* Work with others to understand what he says and do it.
V Follow where he leads.
* Following implies obedience - Mat 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49
* It's not enough to: follow a pastor, be religious, be a good citizen
* You have to know the Lord and allow him to know you!
V You must be led by God's Spirit - Rom 8:12-14
* Mind the things of the Spirit - Rom 8:5-6
V Put to death the misdeeds of the body - Rom 8:13-14
* Sexual immorality - 1Thes 4:1-8; Eph 5:3
* God wants truth in the inner parts - Psalm 51:6
V Submit to spiritual authority - 1Thes 5:12-13; Heb 13:17
* God won't lead you contrary to what he tells your leaders!
* Submit to secular authority - Rom 13:1-5
* The man who loves his life will lose it. - John 12:25
* My food is to do the will of him who sent me. - John 4:34
* Put the big rocks in first.
V Don't follow strangers
* The stranger's voice doesn't line up with God's Word.
* Don't be unequally yoked - 2Cor 6:11 - 7:1
* Don't associate with immoral believers - 1Cor 5:1-13
V Jesus is the gate
* The gate is where the shepherd accounts for the sheep.
* The gate is where the shepherd inspects the sheep.
* The gate is the place where you allow Jesus to inspect you.
V Why do I need to let him know me - doesn't he know everything?
* Knowing speaks of relationship
* You must deliberately communicate with the Lord.
* If you're looking for pasture follow the shepherd.
V The thief has a goal
* Steal
* Kill
* Destroy - render useless
V Jesus is the good shepherd
V Hired Hands and Wolves - John 10:11-13
* Wolves attack in the pasture.
* The Pharisees were "hired hands"
V A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 - Psalm 23
* The Lord is my shepherd
V I shall not want
* The rebellious ewe - pp. 20-22
* He makes me lie down in green pastures
* He leads me beside still waters
* He restores my soul
* He leads me in paths of righteousness
* Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
* Your rod and staff comfort me
* You prepare a table before me
* You anoint my head with oil
* Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
* I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever
V Discussion Questions / Topics
V Reflect on Psalm 119:62; Psalm 119:145-168; Mark 1:35
(repeated from last week)
* Describe the time that you set apart for prayer and Bible study. How much time do you spend and how often do you do it?
* Describe one of the least satisfying experiences you have had in prayer. What made it unsatisfying? How about your experiences with Bible study?
* Describe one of the most satisfying experiences you have had in prayer. What made it satisfying? How about your experiences with Bible study?
* How much do you treasure your relationship with God? Does the time you spend in prayer and Bible study reflect the value you place on your relationship with him?
V Reflect on Mat 7:21-27; Luke 6:46-49
* Have you ever called Jesus Lord while not doing what he said?
* Describe the last time you adjusted your life to put into practice something you learned from the Bible.